Drive unit for a stairlift with safety device

Abstract

Drive unit (1) for a stairlift, which is movable along a rail (3) of the stairlift, the drive unit comprising: (a) a frame (2) to which a load carrier (4) is attached and which is movable along the rail (3), wherein (b) the load carrier (4) has a load bearing surface (5) and is rotatable about an axis of rotation (6) relative to the frame (2) in a first direction of rotation (D1) and a second direction of rotation (D2) opposite to the first direction of rotation (D1), (c) a rotary drive designed to hold the load support surface (5) in a substantially horizontal position by rotating the load carrier (4) in the first direction of rotation (D1) or the second direction of rotation (D2), and (d) a locking device (10) which blocks rotation of the load carrier (4) in one of the directions of rotation (D1, D2) when the load support surface (5) reaches a predetermined tilting angle (α) with respect to the horizontal position, and the locking device (10) thereby prevents further tilting of the load support surface (5), wherein (e) the locking device (10) allows the load carrier (4) to rotate in the direction of rotation (D1, D2) opposite to the blocked direction of rotation (D1, D2) and the rotation of the load carrier (4) in the direction of rotation (D1, D2) opposite to the blocked direction of rotation (D1, D2) removes the prevention of further tilting of the load support surface (5), and (f) the safety device (f1) a pendulum (11) pivotably connected to the load carrier (4), (f2) a first force transmission element (13), (f3) a second power transmission element (14) which is rotationally fixed to the frame (2), and (f4) has a third force transmission element (15) which is rotationally fixed to the load carrier (4), characterized by the fact that (g) the first force transmission element (13) is rotatably connected to the pendulum (11) about an axis of rotation (8) relative to the pendulum (11).

Description

[0001] The invention relates to a driving unit for a stairlift with a safety device and to a stairlift. The stairlift or driving unit comprises a frame that is movable along a rail of the stairlift. The driving unit also has a load carrier with a load-bearing surface, wherein the load carrier is connected to the frame. The connection between the frame and the load carrier is designed such that the load carrier can be rotated about a rotation axis with respect to the frame. A rotary drive of the driving unit, which is preferably arranged on the frame, rotates the load carrier about the rotation axis with respect to the frame such that the load-bearing surface of the load carrier remains in a substantially horizontal position.The safety device of the travel unit is designed to block rotation of the load carrier in the direction of the deflection when the load support surface is deflected by a predetermined tilt angle from the horizontal position. However, rotation of the load carrier in the direction opposite to the deflection is neither blocked nor permitted by the safety device.

[0002] WO 2012 / 052725 A3 discloses a stairlift with a safety mechanism that prevents a stairlift chair from accidentally tipping from a horizontal orientation. The safety device comprises safety means and locking means, wherein the safety means are formed on a gravity pendulum. If the stairlift chair is deflected by a predetermined angle from its horizontal orientation, the gravity pendulum is moved toward a toothing of a support supporting the stairlift chair, so that the safety means engage with the toothing. At the same time, the locking means lock the gravity pendulum in this engaged position, so that the stairlift chair can no longer rotate relative to the support.

[0003] EP 3 286 123 B1 discloses a stairlift with an electromechanical locking mechanism, which also prevents displacement of the stairlift from a substantially horizontal orientation.

[0004] It is an object of the invention to provide a driving unit for a stairlift with an improved safety device.

[0005] This problem is solved by the features of claim 1. Advantageous further developments emerge from the dependent claims, the description and the figures.

[0006] The driving unit according to the invention comprises a frame to which a load carrier is fastened and which can be moved along a rail of the stairlift. The rail can, for example, be arranged in a staircase and have different angles of incline. The driving unit can move along the rail during operation. The load carrier has a load-bearing surface and is rotatable relative to the frame about an axis of rotation in a first direction of rotation and a second direction of rotation. The first direction of rotation is opposite to the second direction of rotation. Furthermore, the driving unit comprises a rotary drive which is designed to hold the load-bearing surface in a substantially horizontal position by rotating the load carrier in the first or second direction of rotation. If the frame orFor example, when the carriage moves along the rail, the frame follows the different inclination angles of the rail and is deflected from its horizontal starting position. During normal operation, the rotary drive can then rotate the load carrier around the axis of rotation in such a way that the deflection of the frame is compensated and the load support surface of the load carrier remains in a substantially horizontal position, regardless of the deflection of the frame.

[0007] The term “essentially horizontal position” is understood below to mean a position of the load-bearing surface in which one surface of the load-bearing surface is horizontal to the surroundings and the force of gravity acting on the load-bearing surface is perpendicular to this surface.

[0008] A locking device on the travel unit blocks rotation of the load carrier in one of the two directions of rotation when the load support surface reaches a predetermined tilt angle relative to the horizontal position. The locked direction of rotation preferably corresponds to the direction of rotation in which the load carrier rotates due to the tilting of the load support surface relative to the frame. In other words, the locked direction of rotation of the load carrier correlates with the tilting or deflection of the load support surface from the horizontal position. Such tilting or deflection of the load support surface from the horizontal position is conceivable, for example, if a malfunction occurs with the rotary drive and / or its control is faulty. According to the invention, the locking device allows rotation of the load carrier in the direction of rotation opposite to the locked direction of rotation.Such a rotation of the load carrier in the direction of rotation opposite to the blocked direction of rotation causes the blockage of the rotational movement of the load carrier in one of the two directions of rotation to be lifted.

[0009] For example, the locking device blocks rotation of the load carrier in the first direction of rotation when the load support surface has reached a predetermined tilt angle. The first direction of rotation of the load carrier correlates with the tilt direction of the load support surface. However, rotation of the load carrier in the second direction of rotation is not prevented by the locking device. In other words, the load carrier can be rotated in the second direction of rotation relative to the frame, allowing the load support surface to return to a horizontal position.

[0010] If the load carrier rotates in the second direction relative to the frame or the load support surface is moved back to the horizontal position, the blockage in the first direction of rotation is released. This advantageously results in the safety device releasing the load carrier in both directions of rotation when the load support surface is moved back to the horizontal position, for example, after a brief malfunction of the rotary drive.

[0011] The specified tilt angle of the load support surface from the horizontal position can be, for example, ±10°. In other words, the securing device prevents further deflection or tilting of the load support surface from the horizontal position if the load support surface reaches a deflection or tilt of +10° or -10° relative to the horizontal position.

[0012] The securing device can assume a free-wheeling state and a locked state. Preferably, the load carrier is rotatable in both directions of rotation about the axis of rotation with respect to the frame when the securing device is in the free-wheeling state. When the securing device is in the locked state, rotation of the load carrier is advantageously prevented in one of the two directions of rotation, in particular in the first direction of rotation. If the load carrier is rotated in the locked state in the direction of rotation opposite to the locked direction of rotation, in particular in the second direction of rotation, the securing device preferably changes from the locked state to the free-wheeling state. Advantageously, the securing device is in the free-wheeling state when the load support surface is in a horizontal position and / or has not yet reached the predetermined tilt angle from the horizontal position.

[0013] The securing device can be designed as a mechanical, in particular gear-like, securing device. Preferably, the securing device has no electromechanical components and can be designed exclusively mechanically. Alternatively, the securing device can be supplemented with electromechanical components, in particular electromechanical actuators. Advantageously, the securing device is arranged between the housing and the load carrier. For example, the securing device is arranged on the frame, and the load carrier, in turn, is arranged on the securing device. The securing device can connect the load carrier to the housing in a rotatable manner.

[0014] The safety device can be designed to be self-locking or self-releasing. The term "self-locking" is to be understood in such a way that the safety device secures the load-bearing surface against further tilting or deflection from the horizontal position, independently of other components of the stairlift or the driving unit, in particular independently of sensors and / or actuators, and / or independently of external influences, for example, external influences by the user. For example, the safety device blocks further rotation of the load carrier in one of the two directions of rotation that correlates with the tilting or deflection of the load-bearing surface from the horizontal position, independently of other components of the stairlift or the driving unit and / or independently of external influences.The term "self-releasing" is to be understood as meaning that the safety device releases a rotational movement of the load carrier in both directions, independently of other components of the stairlift or the driving unit, in particular independently of sensors and / or actuators, and / or independently of external influences, for example, external influences by the user. For example, the safety device releases a rotational movement of the load carrier in both directions when the load support surface is moved back to the horizontal position from a tilt or deflection blocked by the safety device.

[0015] If the load support surface is deflected or tilted by a predetermined tilt angle from the horizontal position, the force of gravity acting on the securing device preferably causes the securing device to block further rotation of the load carrier in the direction of rotation that correlates with the deflection or tilting of the load support surface from the horizontal position. In other words, the force of gravity acting on the securing device causes the securing device to prevent further tilting or deflection of the load support surface from the horizontal position. If the securing device can assume a free-running state and a locked state, the force of gravity acting on the securing device preferably causes the securing device to change from the free-running state to the locked state when the load support surface is deflected or tilted from the horizontal position, in particular by the predetermined tilt angle.is tilted. For example, if the load-bearing surface reaches the specified tilt angle relative to the horizontal position, the safety device has advantageously switched from the free-running state to the locked state due to the force of gravity acting on the safety device.

[0016] In a further development, the securing device can have one or more first force transmission elements. For clarity, the features described below always refer only to a first force transmission element. If the securing device comprises several first force transmission elements, the first force transmission elements can be of similar design or, where technically feasible, each have only parts of the features described below.

[0017] Preferably, the first force transmission element is connected to the load carrier. The first force transmission element can be movable relative to the load carrier and / or relative to the frame, in particular translationally and / or rotationally, when the load-bearing surface is in the horizontal position and / or has not yet reached the predetermined tilt angle relative to the horizontal position. In other words, the first force transmission element is movable relative to the frame, in particular translationally and / or rotationally, when the securing device permits rotational movement of the load carrier in both directions of rotation and is in particular in the freewheeling state.Alternatively or additionally, the first force transmission element can be movable relative to the load carrier, in particular translationally and / or rotationally, when the load-bearing surface is in the horizontal position and / or has not yet reached the predetermined tilt angle relative to the horizontal position. In other words, the first force transmission element can be connected neither to the frame nor to the load carrier in a rotationally fixed and / or fixed manner when the load-bearing surface is in the horizontal position and / or has not yet reached the predetermined tilt angle relative to the horizontal position.

[0018] A "translational movement" of the first force transmission element is understood to mean a movement of the first force transmission element relative to the frame and / or relative to the load carrier in which all components of the first force transmission element experience the same displacement, i.e., they have the same velocity and acceleration vector at a given time. A "rotational movement" of the first force transmission element is understood to mean a movement of the first force transmission element relative to the frame and / or relative to the load carrier in which all components of the first force transmission element move in a circular motion around a common axis.

[0019] The first force transmission element can connect the frame to the load carrier in a force-transmitting manner when the securing device blocks the rotational movement of the load carrier in one of the two directions of rotation and / or the securing device is in the locked state. Preferably, the rotational movement of the load carrier in one of the two directions of rotation is blocked by this force-transmitting connection. Through the force-transmitting connection, in particular, the force from the load carrier can be introduced into the frame via the securing device and absorbed by the frame, which causes the load-bearing surface to tilt or deflect from the horizontal position. The force-transmitting connections can, in particular, involve one or more engagements.

[0020] If the first force transmission element connects the frame to the load carrier in a force-transmitting manner, the first force transmission element can move with respect to the load carrier and / or the frame, in particular move translationally and / or rotationally, such that a movement of the first force transmission element removes the blockage of the rotational movement of the load carrier in one of the two directions of rotation. In other words, the movement of the first force transmission element preferably removes the prevention of further tilting or deflection of the load support surface. The movement of the first force transmission element can release the force-transmitting connection between the frame and the load carrier. Advantageously, the movement of the first force transmission element is brought about by a rotation of the load carrier in the direction of rotation opposite to the blocked direction of rotation.For example, if the load support surface is moved back toward the horizontal position, this causes the first force transmission element to move relative to the load carrier and the frame, in particular to move translationally and / or rotationally, and to release the force-transmitting connection between the frame and the load carrier. The safety device can switch from the locked state to the freewheel state when the first force transmission element releases the force-transmitting connection between the frame and the load carrier.

[0021] The first force transmission element can have one or more engagement means that can be engaged with one or more corresponding engagement means of the frame. Preferably, the at least one engagement means of the first force transmission element is engaged with the at least one engagement means of the frame when the securing device blocks the rotational movement of the load carrier in one of the two rotational directions. The at least one engagement means of the first force transmission element can be engaged with the at least one engagement means of the frame when the securing device is in the locked state.

[0022] The first force transmission element can have further engagement means that can be brought into engagement with corresponding engagement means of the load carrier. Advantageously, the engagement means of the first force transmission element are engaged with the engagement means of the load carrier and the engagement means of the frame when the securing device blocks a rotational movement of the load carrier in one of the two directions of rotation, in particular when the securing device is in the locked state. The engagement means of the first force transmission element are preferably formed by a toothing of the first force transmission element. It is also conceivable for the first force transmission element to be designed as a gear, in particular with external toothing as the engagement means.

[0023] If the safety device can assume a free-wheeling state and a locked state, the first force transmission element can connect the frame to the load carrier in a force-transmitting manner in the locked state. If the load carrier is rotated in the unlocked direction of rotation in the locked state, this preferably leads to a movement, in particular a translational and / or rotational movement, of the first force transmission element with respect to the frame and the load carrier. This movement of the first force transmission element is preferably brought about directly, in particular without further components of the stairlift or the driving unit, by the rotational movement of the load carrier in the direction of rotation opposite to the locked direction of rotation. Independently of this, the movement of the first force transmission element advantageously leads to the safety device changing from the locked state to the free-wheeling state.

[0024] In another exemplary embodiment, the safety device comprises a pendulum. The term "pendulum" is used below to represent a body that is rotatably mounted on an axis or a point outside its center of mass and can swing around its own rest position or rotate around its pivot axis.

[0025] The pendulum can be pivotably or rotatably connected to the load carrier. For example, the pendulum is connected to the load carrier via a pivot bearing, in particular a bushing. Preferably, the pendulum is rotatable with respect to the load carrier about a pivot axis, which is formed in particular by the pivot bearing. The pivot axis of the pendulum is advantageously offset parallel to the axis of rotation of the load carrier. The parallel spacing of the pivot axis of the pendulum from the axis of rotation of the load carrier advantageously causes the pivot axis of the pendulum to move in a circular path around the axis of rotation of the load carrier when the load support surface is deflected or tilted from its horizontal position.

[0026] The pendulum can be oriented perpendicularly, in particular vertically, with respect to a horizontal plane. Preferably, the pendulum remains vertically oriented when the load-bearing surface is deflected or tilted from its horizontal position. In particular, the force of gravity acting on the pendulum causes the pendulum to pivot about the pivot axis upon rotation of the load carrier relative to the load carrier, so that the pendulum remains in a vertical position relative to its surroundings.

[0027] In embodiments in which the pivot axis of the pendulum moves in a circular path around the rotation axis of the load carrier and the pendulum pivots around the pivot axis due to the force of gravity acting on the pendulum when the load-bearing surface is deflected or tilted from its horizontal position, the pendulum can perform a translational movement with respect to the frame. The translational movement of the pendulum with respect to the frame is, in particular, a movement resulting from the combination of the motion components of the pivoting movement of the pendulum around the pivot axis and the circular movement of the pivot axis around the rotation axis of the load carrier.

[0028] The pendulum can be designed symmetrically along its longitudinal axis, so that the longitudinal axis of the pendulum forms a central axis of the pendulum. For example, the central axis of the pendulum can intersect the rotation axis of the load carrier, as well as the pivot axis of the pendulum when the pendulum is in a starting position. The pendulum is preferably in the starting position when the load support surface is in a horizontal position and / or the securing device is in the freewheel state. If the load support surface is deflected or tilted from the horizontal position, the pendulum can leave the starting position. In this case, the pendulum is moved from the starting position, for example, in such a way that the central axis of the pendulum shifts parallel to the starting position. The parallel shift of the central axis of the pendulum preferably leads to a translational movement of the pendulum with respect to the frame.

[0029] The pendulum can have an additional weight. The additional weight advantageously ensures that a greater weight acts on the pendulum. The increased weight can make the pendulum less sensitive to external influences, particularly shocks and jerky movements. The additional weight can additionally or alternatively ensure that the securing device blocks the rotation of the load carrier in one of the two directions of rotation more stably and / or reliably, in order to prevent further deflection or tilting of the load support surface from the horizontal position. The additional weight can, for example, be attached or formed at the free end and / or at the lower end of the pendulum—relative to the direction of gravity—but at least below the pivot axis.

[0030] In an advantageous embodiment of the securing device, the first force transmission element is arranged on the pendulum. Preferably, the first force transmission element is connected to the pendulum so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis relative to the pendulum. For example, the first force transmission element is connected to the pendulum via a pivot bearing, in particular via a bushing. The rotation axis of the first force transmission element is advantageously spaced parallel to the pivot axis of the pendulum. Alternatively or additionally, the rotation axis of the first force transmission element can be spaced parallel to the rotation axis of the load carrier.

[0031] Several, in particular two, first force transmission elements can be rotatably connected to the pendulum, the axes of rotation of which can be arranged parallel to and spaced from one another. If several first force transmission elements are arranged on the pendulum, they can be arranged symmetrically with respect to the pendulum and / or have the same design. Alternatively or additionally, the first force transmission elements can be arranged asymmetrically with respect to the pendulum and / or have different designs.

[0032] In a further exemplary embodiment of the stairlift, the safety device has a second force transmission element. The second force transmission element can be connected to the frame in a rotationally fixed manner. Advantageously, the second force transmission element comprises one or more engagement means designed to be engageable with the at least one engagement means of the first force transmission element. The second force transmission element can, in particular, be an internal toothing of a gear ring. For example, a central axis of the second force transmission element is parallel or coaxial with the axis of rotation of the load carrier. The second force transmission element is preferably arranged within a plane, preferably within a vertical plane, with the first force transmission element.The second force transmission element, in particular the internal toothing, can at least partially surround the first force transmission element. In particular, with respect to an outer circumference of the first force transmission element, the first force transmission element can be at least partially, preferably completely, surrounded by the second force transmission element.

[0033] If the load-bearing surface is in the horizontal position and / or the securing device is in the freewheeling state, the first force-transmitting element is preferably not connected to the second force-transmitting element in a force-transmitting manner. In particular, the external toothing of the first force-transmitting element is not engaged with the internal toothing of the second force-transmitting element. The first force-transmitting element can be spaced apart from the second force-transmitting element when the load-bearing surface is in the horizontal position and / or the securing device is in the freewheeling state.

[0034] If the load-bearing surface is deflected or tilted from a horizontal position, the first force transmission element, in particular the external toothing of the first force transmission element, can approach the second force transmission element, in particular the internal toothing of the second force transmission element. The approach of the first force transmission element to the second force transmission element advantageously results from the translational movement of the pendulum relative to the frame.

[0035] When the load support surface reaches a predetermined tilt angle with respect to the horizontal position, the first force transmission element, in particular the external toothing of the first force transmission element, preferably comes into contact, in particular into a force-transmitting engagement, with the second force transmission element, in particular with the internal toothing of the second force transmission element. In other words, a force-transmitting connection is established between the first force transmission element and the second force transmission element when the load support surface has reached a predetermined tilt angle. The force-transmitting connection between the first force transmission element and the second force transmission element preferably has the effect that the securing device blocks rotation of the load carrier in one of the two directions of rotation, in particular in the direction of rotation which corresponds to the deflection orTilting of the load-bearing surface from the horizontal position correlates. The securing device is preferably in the locked state when the first force-transmitting element is connected to the second force-transmitting element in a force-transmitting manner. In other words, the force that causes a deflection or tilting of the load-bearing surface from the horizontal position is introduced into the frame via the securing device and absorbed by the frame when the securing device is in the locked state.

[0036] The force-transmitting connection between the first force-transmitting element and the second force-transmitting element, in particular the engagement between the external toothing of the first force-transmitting element and the internal toothing of the second force-transmitting element, can be released when the load carrier rotates in the direction of rotation opposite to the blocked direction of rotation. The force-transmitting connection between the first force-transmitting element and the second force-transmitting element is preferably released by the pendulum with the first force-transmitting element moving translationally away from the second force-transmitting element and / or a rotational movement of the first force-transmitting element causing the first force-transmitting element to detach from the second force-transmitting element.In particular, the engagement between the external toothing of the first force transmission element and the internal toothing of the second force transmission element is released.

[0037] In a further exemplary embodiment, the securing device comprises a third force transmission element. The third force transmission element can be connected to the load carrier in a rotationally fixed manner. Advantageously, the third force transmission element is permanently connected to the first force transmission element in a force-transmitting manner. For example, the third force transmission element can have one or more engagement means that are permanently engaged with the at least one engagement means of the first force transmission element. Preferably, the third force transmission element is designed as a gear with external teeth or as an externally toothed partial gear ring. Advantageously, the third force transmission element is arranged and designed such that all engagement means of the third force transmission element have the same radial distance from the pivot axis of the pendulum.

[0038] If the load-bearing surface is deflected or tilted from its horizontal position, the load carrier rotates accordingly with respect to the frame around the load carrier's axis of rotation. Due to its connection to the pendulum, the first force-transmitting element can perform the same translational movement as the pendulum. In particular, the first force-transmitting element will perform a movement resulting from the combined motion components of the pendulum's pivoting movement around the pivot axis and the circular orbital movement of the pivot axis around the load carrier's axis of rotation.In addition, the permanent force-transmitting connection between the first force-transmitting element and the third force-transmitting element, in particular the permanent engagement of the at least one engagement means of the first force-transmitting element with the at least one engagement means of the third force-transmitting element, can cause the first force-transmitting element to rotate about the axis of rotation of the first force-transmitting element and the pendulum. The first force-transmitting element rotates in particular when the first force-transmitting element rolls on the third force-transmitting element. The first force-transmitting element can perform a translational and a rotational movement with respect to the frame when the load-bearing surface is deflected or tilted from its horizontal position.

[0039] When the load-bearing surface reaches a predetermined tilt angle relative to the horizontal position, the first force-transmitting element connects the second force-transmitting element to the third force-transmitting element. Advantageously, only a relative movement is then possible between the second force-transmitting element and the third force-transmitting element, which releases the connection between the second force-transmitting element and the third force-transmitting element. This relative movement correlates with a rotation of the load carrier in the direction of rotation, which causes the load-bearing surface to return to the horizontal position.

[0040] The travel unit preferably comprises a drive with a drive means. The drive, in particular an electric motor, can be arranged on the frame of the travel unit and preferably drives the drive means. The drive means can be designed, for example, as a gear or worm gear. The drive means is advantageously permanently engaged with the rail, in particular with engagement means of the rail. The travel unit can move along the rail when the drive drives the drive means. The frame can advantageously move in both directions along the rail.

[0041] The load-bearing surface can be designed as a seat for a person. Alternatively, the load-bearing surface can be designed as a support surface for a wheelchair.

[0042] The travel unit can have one or more sensors on the load carrier, which are designed in particular as acceleration sensors. Advantageously, the at least one sensor can detect a rotation of the load carrier with respect to a vertical starting position. The at least one sensor is preferably connected to a controller for the rotary drive, in particular via signal communication, for example via cable or wirelessly or radio. The controller can control the rotary drive in such a way that, based on the rotary movement of the load carrier detected by the at least one sensor, the rotary drive rotates the load carrier in one of the two directions of rotation such that the load support surface of the load carrier is held in a substantially horizontal position.

[0043] The features described herein can be combined with one another to the extent that this is technically reasonable and suitable. Further features, feature combinations, and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of exemplary embodiments with reference to the figures. They show: Fig. 1 an embodiment of the stair lift in the front view; Fig. 2 the in Fig. 1 shown stairlift in a side view; Fig. 3 a load carrier of the stairlift shown in the previous figures in the front view; Fig. 4 a side view of the Fig. 3 shown load carrier; Fig. 5 a sectional view of the Fig. 3 shown load carrier; Fig. 6 a safety device of the stairlift shown in the previous figures in a sectional view; Fig. 7 a second sectional view of the Fig. 6 shown safety device; Fig. 8 a third sectional view of the Fig. 6 shown safety device Fig. 9 a sectional view of the securing device and the load carrier in an initial position, Fig. 10 the sectional view from Fig. 9, where the load bearing surface has left the horizontal position, Fig. 11 the sectional view from Fig. 9, in which the load bearing surface has reached a predetermined tilt angle with respect to the horizontal position.

[0044] Fig. Figure 1 shows an embodiment of the stairlift according to the invention in a front view. The stairlift comprises a carriage 1 and a rail 3, along which the carriage 1 can be moved or traveled during operation. The carriage 1 comprises a frame 2, a load carrier 4, and a load-bearing surface 5. The rail 3 preferably extends from a first level to a second level of a building, wherein the second level has a different height than the first level. The rail 3 can preferably be mounted on a conventional staircase and / or in a conventional stairwell.

[0045] The frame 2 is attached to the rail 3 and movable along the rail 3. The frame 2 is preferably connected to the rail 3 in such a way that tilting of the frame 2 about the longitudinal direction of the rail 2 is prevented.

[0046] A load carrier 4 is arranged on the frame 2. The load carrier 4 is connected to the frame 2 so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis 6. The load carrier 4 has a load-bearing surface 5, which in the illustrated embodiment is designed as a seat 5. The load carrier 4 further comprises a footrest 20 and a backrest 21. In the illustrated embodiment, the load carrier 4 is designed to accommodate a person to be transported. By moving the travel unit 1 along the rail 3, the person can be transported, for example, from the first level to the second level.

[0047] The rotatability of the load carrier 4 about the rotation axis 6 means that, when the frame 2 moves along the rail 3, the load carrier 4 can be rotated about the rotation axis 6 such that the load support surface 5 remains in a horizontal position despite the changing orientation of the frame 2. Preferably, the travel unit 1 comprises a rotary drive (not shown) designed to rotate the load carrier 4 with respect to the frame 2 about the rotation axis 6 such that the load support surface 5 remains in a horizontal position. The rotary drive is preferably arranged on the frame 2.

[0048] Fig. 2 shows a side view of the Fig. 1. The rail 3 has a first rail part with a substantially round cross-section. A second rail part 22, namely a vertically downward-facing support section 22, is arranged on the first rail part. The cross-section of the support section 22 is L-shaped, with the horizontal section 23 of the support section 22 having a toothing.

[0049] The frame 2 of the travel unit 1 comprises a drive device (not shown) with a drive means, in particular a gear and / or pinion. The drive means of the drive device is designed to engage with the toothing of the horizontal section 23 of the rail 3. The engagement of the drive means with the toothed horizontal section 23 of the rail 3 causes the frame 2 to move along the rail 3 when the drive device drives the drive means.

[0050] The load carrier 4 has a pivot bearing 24 about which the footrest 20 can be pivoted. The pivotability of the footrest 20 about the pivot bearing 24 allows, for example, during the transport of a person, the footrest 20, as shown in Fig. 2, assumes a horizontally oriented position. When the stairlift is not in use, the footrest 20 can be pivoted about the pivot bearing 24 into a vertical position, whereby the travel unit 1 can be parked in a space-saving manner. The load carrier 4 is connected to the load support surface 5 via the pivot bearing 25. The pivot bearing 25 causes the load support surface 5 to be rotated about a vertical axis of rotation in relation to the load carrier 4. This rotation of the load support surface 5 relative to the load carrier 4 makes it easier for a person to get into the travel unit 1. The load support surface 5 and / or the load carrier 4 can have an additional rotary drive which can rotate the load support surface 5 relative to the load carrier 4 about the vertical axis of rotation.

[0051] Fig. 3 shows the load carrier 4 in a frontal view. The load carrier 4 has sensors 9, which are preferably connected in a signal-communicating manner to the rotary drive, which can rotate the load carrier 4 with respect to the frame 2 about the rotation axis 6. Alternatively, the travel unit 1 can have only one sensor 9. The sensors 9 are designed to detect the vertical orientation of the load carrier 4 and thus also the horizontal orientation of the load support surface 5. When the travel unit 1 or its frame 2 moves along the rail 3, the frame 2 follows the angle of incidence of the rail 3. Consequently, the frame 2 tilts from its initial, for example, horizontal, position due to the movement along the rail 3.Based on the deflection of the load carrier 4 detected by the sensors 9, the rotary drive rotates the load carrier 4 with respect to the frame 2 about the axis of rotation 6 such that, despite the tilting of the frame 2, the load carrier 4 remains in a vertical position shown in the exemplary embodiment and the load support surface 5 remains in a substantially horizontal position.

[0052] Fig. 4 shows a side view of the load carrier 4. The load carrier 4 has a securing device 10 on its side facing the frame 2. The securing device 10 comprises fastening means 26, which can be designed in particular as screws and / or threaded bolts and which connect the securing device 10 to the frame 2 in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0053] Fig. 5 shows a sectional view of the Fig. 3. The view direction to the section AA in Fig. 5 corresponds to the viewing direction in Fig. 4. The load carrier 4 is, for example, a welded construction which is connected to the frame 2 via the securing device 10. A hollow cylindrical tube 28 is arranged on the load carrier 4, which in particular connects the load support surface 5 to the footrest 20. In the Fig. 5, the hollow cylindrical tube 28 is screwed to the load carrier 4. In an alternative embodiment, the hollow cylindrical tube 28 can be rotatable about a vertical axis with respect to the load carrier 4. A rotational movement of the load support surface 5 about the vertical axis can then be transmitted to the footrest 20 by means of the hollow cylindrical tube 28. If the load support surface 5 and the footrest 20 can rotate synchronously about a vertical axis, this can particularly facilitate the entry and exit of the person to be transported. The hollow cylindrical tube 28 is connected at its upper end to the load support surface 5 by elastic bearing elements 27, in particular elastic bushings 27.

[0054] In the lower area, the load carrier 4 has a guide bushing 29, which rotatably connects a part of the footrest 20 to the load carrier 4. Alternatively, the footrest 20 can also be connected to the load carrier 4 in a rotationally fixed manner.

[0055] Fig. 6 shows the safety device 10 in a frontal sectional view. Fig. The securing device 10 shown in Figure 6 is in a free-wheeling state in which the load carrier 4 can be rotated in both directions D1, D2. In other words, the Fig. 6 the securing device 10 in a state which the securing device 10 assumes when the load bearing surface 5 is in a horizontal position.

[0056] The securing device 10 comprises a second force transmission element 14, in particular an internally toothed gear ring 14, which is non-rotatably connected to the frame 2. The securing device 10 further comprises a third force transmission element 15, in particular an externally toothed partial gear ring 15, which is non-rotatably connected to the load carrier 4.

[0057] A body or pendulum 11 of the securing device 10 is connected to the load carrier 4 via a pivot bearing 16, in particular via a bushing 16, relative to the load carrier 4 and pivotable about the pivot axis 7. The pivot axis 7 is spaced from the rotation axis 6, which also forms a central axis of the second force transmission element 14. Fig. 6 shows the pendulum 11 in a starting position. The pendulum 11 has an additional weight 12 on its end facing away from the bushing 16. Furthermore, two first force transmission elements 13, in particular two gears 13, are arranged on the pendulum 11. The two first force transmission elements 13 are each connected to the pendulum so as to be rotatable about a rotation axis 8. The two rotation axes 8 of the two first force transmission elements 13 are parallel to each other and spaced apart from each other. Preferably, the rotation axes 8 are also parallel to the pivot axis 7 and the rotation axis 6 and spaced apart from the pivot axis 7 and the rotation axis 6. As shown, the two first force transmission elements 13 are permanently engaged with the third force transmission element 15.

[0058] During normal operation, in which the rotary drive rotates the load carrier 4 about the rotation axis 6 so that the load carrier 4 maintains its vertical orientation, the securing device 10 remains essentially in the position shown in the Fig. 6. If a malfunction occurs during operation of the stairlift, in which the rotary drive no longer holds the load carrier 4 in a vertical position and therefore the load-bearing surface 5 no longer in a horizontal position, the pivot axis 7 will move along a circular path around the axis of rotation 6. Due to the force of gravity acting on the pendulum 11, the pendulum will pivot about the pivot axis 7. The center of mass of the pendulum 11 is located at a distance from the pivot axis 7 and - relative to the direction of gravity - below the pivot axis 7. The pivoting movement of the pendulum 11 about the pivot axis 7 and the movement of the pivot axis 7 about the axis of rotation 6 cause a translational movement of the pendulum 11 with respect to the frame 2 and in particular with respect to the second force transmission element 14.This translational movement of the pendulum 11 simultaneously causes one of the first force transmission elements 13 to approach the second force transmission element 14. For example, the one shown in . Fig. 6, the left first force transmission element 13 will approach the second force transmission element 14 when the load carrier 4 rotates in the first direction of rotation D1. Fig. 6, the right first force transmission element 13 approaches the second force transmission element 14 when the load carrier 4 rotates in the second direction of rotation D2.

[0059] When the load support surface 5 or the load carrier 4 reaches a predetermined tilt angle or rotation angle, one of the first force transmission elements 13 engages with the second force transmission element 14. Due to this engagement, further rotation of the load carrier 4 relative to the frame 2 is blocked. The force causing the tilting of the load support surface 5 or the rotation of the load carrier 4 is introduced into the frame 2 via the securing device 10 and absorbed by the frame 2. The securing device 10 is then in a locked position.

[0060] In the locked position of the securing device 10, the load carrier 4 is connected to the frame 2 via the force transmission elements 13, 14, 15 in a rotationally fixed manner with respect to the blocked direction of rotation. This locked state is preferably achieved when the tilt angle of the load support surface 5 with respect to a horizontal plane and / or the rotation angle of the load carrier 4 with respect to a vertical plane is ± 10°.

[0061] When the load carrier 4 rotates back around the axis of rotation 6, namely in the direction of its vertical starting position, the load support surface 5 also moves back to its horizontal starting position. This causes the pendulum 11 to move back to its starting position. The first force transmission elements 13 will roll on the third force transmission element 15 and, in particular, rotate about the respective axis of rotation 8. The movement of the first force transmission elements 13 with respect to the frame 2 and, in particular, with respect to the second force transmission element 14 resulting from the combination of all movements, in particular the translational and / or rotational movement, ensures that the engagement between one of the first force transmission elements 13 and the second force transmission element 14 is released when the load carrier 4 is rotated in the direction of rotation opposite to the blocked direction of rotation.

[0062] Fig. 7 shows the safety device 10 in a sectional view of the Fig. 6. The second force transmission element 14 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a holding section 17 of the securing device 10 via a screw connection 18. The holding section 17 is in turn connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the frame 2 via the fastening means 26. With respect to the rotation axis 6, the holding section 17 is radially surrounded by the load carrier 4.

[0063] The pendulum 11 points in the left area of ​​the Fig. 7 the additional weight 12. In the right area of ​​the Fig. 7, the pendulum 11 is connected to the load carrier 4 by means of the pivot bearing 16 so as to be rotatable about the pivot axis S. The first force transmission element 13 shown laterally is rotatably connected to the pendulum 11.

[0064] The Fig. 7 The screw connection 19, only partially shown, connects the third force transmission element 15 in a rotationally fixed manner to the load carrier 4.

[0065] Fig. 8 shows a sectional view of the safety device 10 of the Fig. 6. As already described above, the second force transmission element 14 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the holding section 17 of the securing device 10. The holding section 17, in turn, is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the frame 2 via the fastening means 26, which can be designed as screw connections 26 and / or threaded bolts 26.

[0066] The two first force transmission elements 13 are each connected to the pendulum 11 by means of a pivot bearing 16, in particular a bushing 16, so as to be rotatable about the respective rotation axis 8. The bushings 16 are preferably screwed to the pendulum 11. Regardless of the embodiment shown, the connection between the pendulum 11 and the two first force transmission elements 13 can be designed analogously to the connection between the pendulum 11 and the load carrier 4, with the bushings 16 each having an adapted dimension.

[0067] The Fig. 9 to 11 show the functioning of the securing device 10 based on a sectional view of the securing device 10 and the load carrier 4, analogous to the sectional view in Fig. 6. Starting from Fig. 9, in which the load carrier 4 is in a vertical starting position, the load carrier 4 is in Fig. 10 is rotated about the rotation axis 6 in a first direction of rotation D1 until the load carrier 4 is finally in Fig. 11 has reached a predetermined angle of rotation α, which corresponds to the predetermined tilt angle α of the load support surface 5.

[0068] The load bearing surface 5 (not shown) is located in Fig. 9 in the horizontal position. In Fig. 11, the load support surface 5 has reached a predetermined tilt angle α with respect to the horizontal position.

[0069] Fig. Figure 9 shows the securing device 10 in the freewheeling state. In other words, the load carrier 4 can rotate in both directions D1, D2 around the rotation axis 6.

[0070] As already mentioned regarding the Fig. 6, the safety device 10 also has Fig. 9 has a pendulum 11 which encloses the additional weight 12. The pendulum 11 is connected to the load carrier 4 so as to be rotatable about the pivot axis 7. The two first force transmission elements 13 are each connected to the pendulum 11 so as to be rotatable about the rotation axes 8. The two first force transmission elements 13 are permanently meshed with the third force transmission element 15, wherein the third force transmission element 15 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the load carrier 4. The second force transmission element 14 is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to the frame 2 (not shown).

[0071] As in Fig. As shown in Figure 9, the first force transmission elements 13 are spaced apart from the second force transmission element 14. The first force transmission elements 13 are not connected to the second force transmission element 14 in a force-transmitting manner, in particular, they are not intermeshing.

[0072] Fig. 10 shows a state in which the load-bearing surface 5 (not shown) is tilted from the horizontal position by a tilt angle α. The tilt angle α can be, for example, 6° in this position. Due to the connection between the load-bearing surface 5 and the load carrier 4, the load carrier 4 is also rotated from its vertical starting position by the tilt angle α. In this case, the load carrier 4 has rotated around the rotation axis 6 in the first rotation direction D1 with respect to the frame 2 (not shown).

[0073] Due to the force of gravity acting on the pendulum 11 and the rotatable bearing of the pendulum 11, the pendulum 11 has Fig. 10 in relation to the starting position in Fig. 9 and with respect to the frame 2, a translational movement is carried out, which results in particular from the pivoting movement of the pendulum 11 about the pivot axis 7 and the circular path movement of the pivot axis 7 about the rotation axis 6 in the first rotation direction D1. The translational movement of the pendulum 11 causes the left first force transmission element 13 to approach the second force transmission element 14. However, the left first force transmission element 13 is not yet engaged with the second force transmission element 14. In this respect, the left first force transmission element 13 is not yet connected to the second force transmission element 14 in a force-transmitting manner. Also in Fig. 10, the safety device 10 is in a freewheeling state. The load carrier 4 can still rotate in both directions D1, D2.

[0074] In Fig. 11, the load carrier 4 has rotated in the first direction of rotation D1 to such an extent that a predetermined tilt angle α is reached. Preferably, the predetermined tilt angle α is 10°.

[0075] The further rotation of the load carrier 4 in the first direction of rotation D1 has caused the left first force transmission element 13 to move further towards the second force transmission element 14 and finally to engage with the second force transmission element 14. Accordingly, the left first force transmission element 13 is in Fig. 11 is connected to the second force transmission element 14 in a force-transmitting manner. By connecting the left first force transmission element 13 to the second force transmission element 14 and the left first force transmission element 13 to the third force transmission element 15, the load carrier 4 and the frame 2 are also connected to one another in a force-transmitting manner. Due to this connection, further rotation of the load carrier 4 in the first direction of rotation D1 is blocked. Rotation of the load carrier 4 in the second direction of rotation D2 is not blocked. The securing device 10 is located in the Fig. 11 shown state in the locked position.

[0076] If the load carrier 4, starting from the Fig.11, in the second direction of rotation D2, the tilt angle α would decrease. In other words, if the load carrier 4 were to rotate in the second direction of rotation D2, the load support surface 5 would return to the horizontal position.

[0077] A rotational movement of the load carrier 4 in the second rotational direction D2 would also result in the left first force transmission element 13 being released from the second force transmission element 14. The release process would be caused, on the one hand, by the now opposite translational movement of the pendulum 11 with respect to the frame 2 and, on the other hand, by the rotational movements of the left first force transmission element 13 about the left rotational axis 8. The connection between the load carrier 4 and the frame 2 (not shown) would subsequently also be released. The securing device 10 would change back from the locked state to the freewheel state, enabling rotation of the load carrier 4 in the first rotational direction D1. List of reference symbols 1 driving unit 2 frames 3 rail 4 load carriers 5 Load bearing surface 6 Rotation axis of the load carrier 7 Swivel axis 8 Rotation axis of the first power transmission element 9 sensors 10 Safety device 11 pendulums 12 Additional weight 13 first power transmission element 14 second power transmission element 15 third power transmission element 16 pivot bearings 17 stopping section 18 screw connection 19 Screw connection 20 Footrest 21 Backrest 22 Support section of the rail 23 horizontal section 24 pivot bearings 25 pivot bearings 26 fasteners 27 elastic bearing element 28 hollow cylindrical tube 29 Guide bushing D1 first direction of rotation D2 second direction of rotation α tilt angle

Claims

[1] Driving unit (1) for a stairlift, which is movable along a rail (3) of the stairlift, the driving unit comprising: (a) a frame (2) to which a load carrier (4) is attached and which is movable along the rail (3), wherein (b) the load carrier (4) has a load support surface (5) and is rotatable about an axis of rotation (6) relative to the frame (2) in a first direction of rotation (D1) and a second direction of rotation (D2) opposite to the first direction of rotation (D1), (c) a rotary drive which is designed to hold the load support surface (5) in a substantially horizontal position by rotating the load carrier (4) in the first direction of rotation (D1) or the second direction of rotation (D2), and (d) a securing device (10) which blocks rotation of the load carrier (4) in one of the directions of rotation (D1, D2) when the load support surface (5) reaches a predetermined tilt angle (α) with respect to the horizontal position, and the securing device (10) thereby prevents further tilting of the load support surface (5), wherein (e) the securing device (10) allows rotation of the load carrier (4) in the direction of rotation (D1, D2) opposite to the blocked direction of rotation (D1, D2) and the rotation of the load carrier (4) in the direction of rotation (D1, D2) opposite to the blocked direction of rotation (D1, D2) removes the prevention of further tilting of the load support surface (5), and (f) the safety device (f1) a pendulum (11) pivotally connected to the load carrier (4), (f2) a first force transmission element (13), (f3) a second force transmission element (14) which is connected to the frame (2) in a rotationally fixed manner, and (f4) a third force transmission element (15) which is connected to the load carrier (4) in a rotationally fixed manner, characterized by , that (g) the first force transmission element (13) is connected to the pendulum (11) so as to be rotatable about an axis of rotation (8) relative to the pendulum (11). [2] Driving unit (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the safety device (10) is a self-locking and self-releasing safety device (10) and / or the safety device (10) is an exclusively mechanical, in particular gear-type, safety device (10). [3] Driving unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the first force transmission element (13) is translationally and rotationally movable with respect to the frame (2) when the load support surface (5) is in a horizontal position and / or the load support surface (5) has not yet reached the predetermined tilt angle (α) with respect to the horizontal position. [4] Driving unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the first force transmission element (13) connects the second force transmission element (14) to the third force transmission element (15) in a force-transmitting manner when the load-bearing surface (5) reaches a predetermined tilt angle (α) with respect to the horizontal position. [5] Driving unit (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized bythat the connection between the second force transmission element (14) and the third force transmission element (15) is released when the load carrier (4) is rotated in the direction of rotation (D1, D2) opposite to the blocked direction of rotation (D1, D2). [6] Driving unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a movement, preferably a translational and rotational movement, of the first force transmission element (13) with respect to the frame (2) removes the prevention of further tilting of the load support surface (5) when the load carrier (4) rotates in the direction of rotation (D1, D2) opposite to the blocked direction of rotation (D1, D2), wherein the movement of the first force transmission element (13) with respect to the frame (2) is brought about by the rotation of the load carrier (4) in the direction of rotation (D1, D2) opposite to the blocked direction of rotation (D1, D2). [7] Driving unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the first power transmission element (13) is a gear (13). [8] Driving unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the pendulum (11) is vertically aligned due to the force of gravity acting on the pendulum (11) independently of the rotational movement of the load carrier (4). [9] Driving unit (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized by that a central axis of the pendulum (11) intersects the axis of rotation (6) when the load bearing surface (5) is in the horizontal position, and the central axis of the pendulum (11) shifts parallel when the load bearing surface (5) is deflected from the horizontal position. [10] Driving unit (1) according to one of the two preceding claims, characterized by that the pendulum (11) has an additional weight (12) to increase the effect of gravity on the pendulum (11). [11] Driving unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat several, preferably two, first force transmission elements (13) are rotatably arranged on the pendulum (11). [12] Driving unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by in that the first force transmission element (13) and the second force transmission element (14) are connected in a force-transmitting manner, in particular engaging with one another, when the load-bearing surface (5) reaches a predetermined tilt angle (α) with respect to the horizontal position, wherein the force-transmitting connection between the first force transmission element (13) and the second force transmission element (14) is released by a movement, preferably by a translational and rotational movement, of the first force transmission element (13) with respect to the frame (2). [13] Driving unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the third force transmission element (15) is permanently connected to the first force transmission element (13) in a force-transmitting manner, in particular by engaging with one another. [14] Driving unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the third force transmission element (15) is designed as a gear with external teeth or as an externally toothed partial gear ring. [15] Driving unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the securing device (10) blocks rotation of the load carrier (4) in one of the directions of rotation (D1, D2) when the load support surface (5) reaches a predetermined tilt angle (α) with respect to the horizontal position of ± 10°. [16] Stairlift comprising a rail (3) and a driving unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the driving unit (1) is movable along the rail (3).

Images